Volunteers
Volunteering - an important contribution
Watoto Wetu day care center, based in Kiharaka, Tanzania, is looking forward to receiving volunteers who will give children affection and attention. We also offer volunteering opportunities to those with construction or trade skills.
We have a lot hopes for the future at Watoto Wetu. We would like to install two new classrooms, a football pitch for the community, and self catering accommodation for volunteers on site. There is a need for primary school education in our local area, and we think we can provide this in the future, if we can follow our plan to expand the day care center.
We accept a wide range of volunteers, from individuals, to groups, to families and to school groups. Please contact us via the Contact page to discuss your interests. We offer heavily discounted safari tours in thanks to volunteers.
How it works:
- Our volunteers play a key role in the care and education of our kids. We also rely on volunteers for improvements to the facilities and playground.
- Volunteers can choose to focus on either child care and education activities, or on construction and trade skills. A combination of both is also possible depending on your interests. The duration of the voluntary placement at Watoto Wetu day care center should be at least between 2 weeks and one month, depending on the time available to volunteers. The applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is some more information in the box below on the requirements of volunteers.
- For a contribution of $100 per week, we can provide a room, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is arranged by volunteers and we encourage volunteers to buy and use mineral water. Rooms are either a double en-suite, or if you are a group, space in a bunk room for up to 6 people. Pick up from the airport can also be arranged for a small fee.
- In thanks of the time spent with Watoto Wetu day care centre, we offer heavily discounted safari trips once the volunteering placement has been completed. Bespoke itineraries can be created for trips to the famous Serengeti, or to the Southern circuit of National Parks, including Ruaha and Mikumi. Safaris will be led by our founder, Mr Philip Masonda, who has over 25 years of wildlife guiding experience in Tanzania. You can view our partner site www.kayagelegends.com for more information.
Professional prerequisite
For childcare volunteering: For us it is very important that you like children and are willing to give them love. You must be able to participate in various physical activities.
Construction/trade volunteers: physical fitness, electrician, plumbing, and other trade skills are really valued.
All volunteers: should have knowledge in English. Be flexible, adaptable, able to integrate easily, be communicative and show willingness to be active during the entire duration of your stay. Volunteers will have opportunity to attend Swahili learning program at the centre.
We also need volunteers who can teach science subjects, mathematics and English at the local secondary school. Please contact us for more information.
Tasks for educational volunteer staff are:
- Pay attention and to give affection
- Assist and aid the younger children with learning activities
- Assist the older children with their homework
- Plan and organise recreational activities
- Help with housework chores and daily activities
- Participate in building and painting activities
Tasks for construction/trade volunteer staff are:
- Building new classrooms and storage areas
- Maintaining paths
- Setting up playground
- Tending garden and outdoor areas
Your stay at Watoto Wetu Day care
Working hours
Volunteers usually work a 6 to 8 hour day. You accompany the children during the whole day, or participate in construction or upkeep activities. You have two days off per week.
Accommodation
During your stay you will be living on the Watoto Wetu compound of the children’s home in the guest house. The rooms are comfortably furnished with bed, mosquito net, wardrobe, light and fan. A shower with running water, western toilet and refrigerator are provided.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA
ORDINARY (SINGLE ENTRY) VISA
An application of Ordinary Visa should be accompanied with the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- Return ticket of the flight;
- Fully completed visa application form
- 50 USD visa fee
This visa is granted to foreign national for the purposes of Visit, Tourism, Leisure, Holiday, attending Conference, Humanitarian and charity activities, Family Visit, Health Treatment or any other purpose as may be determined by the issuing authority. Its validity does not exceed 90 days for a single entry
- Visit the Immigration Services Website (immigration.go.tz)
- Select “e-services”;
- Select “Online Visa Application”;
- Upload and attach the applicant’s scanned relevant documents for the Visa;
- Then, the applicant will receive an e-mail message containing User Identification Number (that may be used to track the application online);
- After completion of filling an online visa application form, the applicant will have to pay for a for respective visa fee;
- Upon successful payment, the applicant will submit his application;
- Lastly, the applicant will receive a message of confirmation of his application being received.
An Applicant can make payment of visa fee online through one of the following methods:
- By Visa card or By Master card;
- By Swift transfer (i.e. depositing money directly into bank account at the bank counter).
After making fee payment, an Applicant will receive a notification that his payment has been received. He/she will wait for Approval of Visa before starting the journey.
After successfully submitting the application, an applicant may track the progress of his application by using his ID Number, which is given during the application stage. To track the application, applicant will go back to the Visa Application System, then click the Visa Status button.